Cruz is scheduled to become a restricted free agent and the Giants will give him a first-round tender, meaning he will earn $2.879 million and the club would have the right to match any offer he receives.

It remains to be seen if Cruz will show up during the offseason absent the long-term deal he is seeking. He’s been pretty much first class about the issue since he broke out as a star in 2011 but he’s been waiting to be paid for a while now and as Vacchiano points out, the Giants have more pressing issues with free agency opening.

“We’d like him to be here,” Coughlin said. “He’s a big part of what we do. He’s been a great player and a great story. We made it clear we want him to be here. I hope his side feels the same way.”

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